FAIR DIGEST || Worship services today

Worship services today

Several worship services will be offered at the Canfield Fair’s Concourse Stage today. The Catholic service, with signing provided by Richard Kocher, will begin at 8 a.m., followed by the Ecumenical service at 9:30 a.m. The latter service will be officiated by the Rev. Russ Lib of Berlin Center United Methodist Church, while the Canfield Fair Choir, directed by Tom and Kelly Scurich, will provide music.

The Praise and Worship Service, presented by Old North Church of Canfield, will start at 11 a.m.

Extension celebrates 100 years with fair

This year, the Ohio State University Extension is celebrating 100 years of involvement with the Canfield Fair and is marking the occasion with several displays and presentations in the Floral Building, No. 44. Also, experts will be on hand to answer questions.

Today’s presentations are “Sweeten Your Soil” at noon; “Hydrangeas That Will Bloom” at 1 p.m.; “How to Kill a Tree” at 2 p.m.; “Youth Program: Biodegradable Products” at 3 p.m.; “Gardening Myths and Legends” at 4 p.m.; and “Planting Bulbs” at 5 p.m.

Monday’s presentations are “What’s Bugging Me?” at noon; “Fall Veggie Garden” at 1 p.m.; “Gardening Myths and Legends” at 2 p.m.; “Beneficial Insects” at 3 p.m.; “Top 10 Ways to Improve Veggie Garden” at 4 p.m.; and “Hydrangeas That Will Bloom” at 5 p.m.

Reba on stage tonight

Reba McEntire, who last appeared at the Canfield Fair in 2011, will perform in concert at the grandstand today, with opening act the Willis Clan. Tickets still are available for the 8 p.m. show and range from $40 to $75.

McEntire has released 26 studio albums, with 40 No. 1 singles and 14 No. 1 albums, in her career. Known as the Queen of Country Music, she is one of the best-selling artists of all time and has sold more than 80 million records worldwide.

The fair’s box office is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and tickets also can be purchased online by visiting the Canfield Fair’s website, www.canfieldfair.com.

Junior Fair having record year for sales

Mahoning County Junior Fair sales this year are up about 15 percent — and more than $60,000 — from last year.

“It’s been a record, record sales year,” said Bob Jarvis, a Canfield Fair Board director who, along with fellow director Ward Campbell, helps to manage the Junior Fair.

Total sales this year for Thursday and Friday were $494,541.55, compared with last year’s total sales of $430,295.30. Jarvis and Campbell said they are appreciative to all of the buyers, both large and small.

“We want to thank our buyers for stepping up to the plate,” Jarvis said. “We can’t do it without them.”

2014 attendance strong

This year’s Canfield Fair attendance numbers continue to exceed last year’s. On Friday, 46,609 people attended the fair, compared with 44,216 in 2013 — an increase of more than 5 percent. Those numbers bring the three-day total to 106,661, which is nearly 9 percent more than last year’s total of 98,154.

Vindicator staff reports